[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”true” align=”left” margin_bottom=”24″ el_class=”used-value-text”]Korean automakers stake their fortunes on delivering more features per dollar than class competitors. On that basis, Sedonas trump all rivals. Kia says its comprehensive warranty is the number one reason buyers purchase its vehicles new. However, Kia’s customer satisfaction ratings and resale values have been low–which might make the Sedona a good buy secondhand.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”true” align=”left” margin_bottom=”0″ el_class=”used-overview-text” title=”Overview”]
Kia joined the minivan race for the 2002 model year. Built in South Korea, the new Sedona had a standard V6 engine and seven-passenger seating. All Sedonas were the same body length, which was comparable to a Toyota Sienna and roughly 2 inches longer than a regular-size Dodge Caravan.
Base LX and uplevel EX models were offered. Both used a 195-horsepower, 3.5-liter V6 teamed with a five-speed automatic transmission. Dual sliding rear side doors were standard, but power doors and side airbags were unavailable. Antilock braking was optional.
The LX’s second-row seat was a bench, while the EX contained buckets. Extra equipment on the EX also included heated mirrors, fog lamps, keyless entry, and alloy wheels. A sunroof and leather upholstery were optional only for the EX model.
Rivals for this front-drive minivan included the Chevrolet Venture, Dodge Caravan, Honda Odyssey, Mazda MPV, and Toyota Sienna. Kia was owned by Hyundai, and duplicated Hyundai’s warranty: 5-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper, 10/100,000 powertrain, and 5-year/unlimited roadside assistance.
2003 Sedona
This South Korean automaker’s minivan returned for its second season with minimal changes. For 2003, the LX gained a standard AM/FM/CD player, central door-lock button, and remote fuel-door release. EX models added additional stereo speakers, and a second remote for the keyless entry. All minivans got new taillights.
2004 Sedona
A new grille went on both versions of Kia’s minivan this year. The base LX model gained a center tray table that had previously been optional.
A Sedona has adequate power in gentle driving, but it’s among the heaviest minivans on the market. Therefore, heavy throttle application is needed for scooting from a stop, passing, or catching up with highway traffic when loaded with passengers. An EX accelerated from 0-60 mph in 10.5 seconds, which falls short of the minivan norm.
Fuel economy is no bonus: An extended-use EX averaged 17.5 mpg in mostly highway driving. Other EX models averaged 15.6 mpg in a more even mix of city/highway travel. One managed just 13.2 mpg including mostly city driving and 0-60 mph acceleration runs. Kia recommends regular-grade gasoline.
Sharp bumps, tar strips, and pavement cracks register through the steering wheel, seats, and structure, but they seldom induce jolting. Wavy surfaces trigger some float and wallow.
Handling is marred by a slow, rubbery steering feel. Even leisurely changes of direction induce noticeable body lean. Excess weight and soft tires cause the nose to plow as cornering speeds increase. Stopping power is adequate, but some test models have suffered poor brake-pedal feel, with or without ABS.
Sedonas could be quieter, too. Tires sing on coarse surfaces, and the engine intrudes under even moderate throttle. One test model suffered considerable wind rush from around the tops of the front doors at highway speed, but others had acceptable wind-noise suppression.
Simple, clear instrumentation is satisfying. Controls are generously sized, plainly marked, and easily reached. The gearshift lever sprouts from the lower center of the dashboard, leaving controls unobstructed and allowing passage between front seats. The gear-position readout is thoughtfully repeated near the speedometer.
All told, the Sedona has a pleasant, contemporary interior ambience. Some lightweight-plastic controls are used, but assembly quality and most materials are competitive with those of like-priced minivans. Annoying rattles from second- and third-row seats were noticed on one new model tested.
Front seats are roomy and supportive. Driver positioning is good, and the EX has a standard power passenger seat. Both front seats have fold-down center armrests. Windshield wiper de-icers and rear wiper/washer have been standard, but aft visibility is impeded by headrests.
Rear seating is comparable to rivals, though second-row bucket seats don’t tilt, greatly complicating third-row entry/exit. Second-row seats slide fore/aft to fine-tune leg room for both rear rows. Outboard seating positions have ceiling air vents, and the second row gets separate air-conditioning control. The EX has power-opening rear quarter windows, and gives third-row passengers their own control buttons.
Cargo space is slim behind the third seat: a split 50/50 bench that flip/folds for more space. Second and third rows remove, but the lightest sections weigh over 60 pounds and are cumbersome to handle.
Small-item storage is excellent in both models, with multiple cupholders, covered felt-lined dash-top bin, a two-level glovebox, slide-out locking front passenger-seat tray, and front overhead compartment. A cupholder/storage tray between the front seats folds to allow pass-through.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][mk_content_box icon=”icon-road” heading=”Ratings” el_class=”ratings-box”][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”true” align=”left” margin_bottom=”18″]Model Tested: 2002 Kia Sedona EX[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”true” align=”left” margin_bottom=”18″ el_class=”review-slideshow-caption”]Ratings values are on a 1-10 scale, with 10 being the best. With the exception of Value, these numbers reflect how the vehicle compares against the universe of vehicles, not just against rivals in its class.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”true” align=”left” margin_bottom=”0″ el_class=”used-performance-ratings” title=”Performance”][mk_skill_meter title=”Acceleration – 3″ percent=”30″ color=”#0bb697″][mk_skill_meter title=”Fuel Economy – 4″ percent=”40″ color=”#0bb697″][mk_skill_meter title=”Ride Quality – 6″ percent=”60″ color=”#0bb697″][mk_skill_meter title=”Steering/Handling – 3″ percent=”30″ color=”#0bb697″][mk_skill_meter title=”Quietness – 6″ percent=”60″ color=”#0bb697″][/vc_column_text][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”true” align=”left” margin_bottom=”0″ title=”Accommodations” el_class=”used-accomodations-ratings”][mk_skill_meter title=”Controls/Materials – 8″ percent=”80″ color=”#0bb697″][mk_skill_meter title=”Room/Comfort Front – 8″ percent=”80″ color=”#0bb697″][mk_skill_meter title=”Room/Comfort Rear – 7″ percent=”70″ color=”#0bb697″][mk_skill_meter title=”Cargo Room – 9″ percent=”90″ color=”#0bb697″][/vc_column_text][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”true” align=”left” margin_bottom=”0″ title=”Other” el_class=”used-other-ratings”][mk_skill_meter title=”Value – 7″ percent=”70″ color=”#0bb697″][/vc_column_text][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”true” align=”left” margin_bottom=”0″ el_class=”used-ratings-total”]
Cold-starting problems
Description: The engine may hesitate and stumble when cold requiring reprogramming the ECM. (2002)
Engine fan
Description: The original electric cooling fan was noisy and may be replaced with a fan having different style blades. (2002)
Battery
Description: The battery may discharge (be drained) while the engine is running at slow speeds with the A/C running during hot weather requiring a revised alternator, a battery heat shield and reprogramming of the ECM. (2002-03)
Windshield
Description: Windshield may crack in cold weather. (2002-03)
2002
Description: Faulty second- and third-row seat components could cause them to break apart in a crash. Dealers will inspect and replace affected parts. Dealers will replace second and third-row seatbelt buckle anchor bolts because they may break in a crash.
2002-03
Description: During assembly, throttle cable might have twisted out of position; cable hang-up could result in crash.
2002-04 EX w/power seats
Description: Misrouted wiring under front seats could contact metal components, eventually resulting in short-circuit and possible fire.
2003
Description: The brakes may not function properly at speeds below 25 mph due to a programming error in the antilock brake system. Dealer will reprogram the system.
2003-05 w/alloy wheels
Description: Moisture may accumulate around rear hubcaps, causing damage to outer wheel bearing that could result in bearing failure without warning.
2003-05
Description: On some minivans, freezing conditions can cause water on throttle cable to freeze during normal operation; cable could stick, preventing engine from returning to idle.
[/mk_table][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/mk_page_section][mk_page_section attachment=”scroll” bg_position=”left top” bg_repeat=”repeat” bg_stretch=”false” enable_3d=”false” speed_factor=”4″ bg_video=”no” video_mask=”false” video_opacity=”0.6″ top_shadow=”false” section_layout=”full” sidebar=”General” min_height=”100″ padding_top=”10″ padding_bottom=”10″ margin_bottom=”0″ first_page=”false” last_page=”true” section_id=”Equipment” visibility=”hidden-sm”][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_accordions style=”fancy-style” action_style=”accordion-action” open_toggle=”0″ container_bg_color=”#fff”][vc_accordion_tab title=”Equipment Lists”][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”true” align=”left” margin_bottom=”0″]Click on year to see equipment lists for all models offered for that model year.[/vc_column_text][/vc_accordion_tab][vc_accordion_tab title=”2002″][mk_table style=”style1″ el_class=”used-equipment-table”]
2002 Kia Sedona
Pricing Effective: 12/21/2001
Model Pricing
Retail Price
Dealer Price
Destination
LX 4-door van
$ 18,995
$ 17,300
$ 595
EX 4-door van
20,995
18,720
595
Price Note:
Standard Equipment
LX : 3.5-liter dohc V6 engine, 5-speed automatic transmission, dual front airbags, front and rear air conditioning, power steering, tilt steering wheel, cruise control, cloth upholstery, 7-passenger seating, front bucket seats w/driver-seat lumbar adjustment, center console, cupholders, second- and third-row bench seats, dual sliding rear doors, power mirrors, power front windows, power door locks, AM/FM/cassette, digital clock, tachometer, variable-intermittent wipers w/deicer, map lights, visor mirrors, rear defogger, intermittent rear wiper/washer, rear privacy glass, 215/70R15 tires, wheel covers
EX adds: 8-way power driver seat w/power lumbar support, 4-way power passenger seat, second-row bucket seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated power mirrors, power rear quarter windows, remote keyless entry, AM/FM/cassette/CD player, illuminated visor mirrors, trip computer, automatic headlights, roof rack, fog lights, alloy wheels
[/mk_table][/vc_accordion_tab][/vc_accordions][/vc_column][/mk_page_section][mk_page_section attachment=”scroll” bg_position=”left top” bg_repeat=”repeat” bg_stretch=”false” enable_3d=”false” speed_factor=”4″ bg_video=”no” video_mask=”false” video_opacity=”0.6″ top_shadow=”false” section_layout=”full” sidebar=”General” min_height=”100″ padding_top=”10″ padding_bottom=”10″ margin_bottom=”0″ first_page=”false” last_page=”true” section_id=”Equipment” visibility=”visible-sm”][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”true” align=”left” margin_bottom=”0″ title=”Equipment Lists”]Equipment lists are only viewable on larger screen sizes.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/mk_page_section][mk_page_section attachment=”scroll” bg_position=”left top” bg_repeat=”repeat” bg_stretch=”false” enable_3d=”false” speed_factor=”4″ bg_video=”no” video_mask=”false” video_opacity=”0.6″ top_shadow=”false” section_layout=”full” sidebar=”General” min_height=”100″ padding_top=”10″ padding_bottom=”10″ margin_bottom=”0″ first_page=”false” last_page=”true” section_id=”Pricing”][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”true” align=”left” margin_bottom=”0″ el_class=”used-pricing-text” title=”Pricing”]Used-car pricing varies widely depending on local market conditions. Therefore, we recommend visiting websites that list used cars for sale to get a better idea of what a specific model is selling for in your area.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/mk_page_section]
